Gauteng local govt summit agrees on the way forward to build municipalities

By Johnathan Paoli

Following Gauteng’s local government turnaround summit, the three spheres of government, SOEs and other key stakeholders have committed to work together to develop strategies to improve service delivery and the financial sustainability of municipalities.

A declaration issued after the two-day summit under the theme “Building Smart and Resilient Municipalities of the Future”, reaffirmed the District Development Model as a viable strategy to revitalise municipalities.

Participants acknowledged that many municipalities were currently governed through coalition arrangements, which had led to increased complexities in decision-making and resource allocation.

They also noted that many municipalities struggled with financial sustainability, which impacted their ability to deliver essential services.

The declaration noted that deteriorating infrastructure hampered service delivery and local economic development, further straining municipal resources.

Participants recognised the need for municipalities to adapt to new technologies in service provision.

The declaration acknowledged the achievements of local government over the past 25